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Hirendean Castle


Hirendean Castle is a ruined 16th century peel tower probably built by the Kerr family.

Situated on the flattened top of a raised mound beside the Hirenden Burn, it is further protected by the River South Esk running to the west of it, and occupies a good defensive position when approached from the south, although it is overlooked by the Moorfoot Hills to the north.

Hirendean Castle

The castle stands on the lands of Moorfoot which were granted by David I to Cistercian monks from Melrose by in 1140. They built a grange at Moorfoot which seems to have been the focus of the estate until the Reformation when it became the property of Mark Kerr, the Abbott of Newbattle. Given the suggested date of the mid-16th century which is given for Hirendean Castle, it seems likely that the Abbott was responsible for building the castle.

There is an old local legend that refers to a castle at Hirendean in the mid-15th century, so, if true, it may be that the present building replaced an earlier structure.

Originally measuring around 13.0m approximately east to west by around 7.5m north to south, it was quite a substantial building with walls 1.1m thick, and stood three storeys in height. A doorway at the east end of the south wall gave access into the basement level, and part of its carved surround can still be seen.

Hirendean Castle

The east end of the castle is now missing, although a pile of rubble indicates where it has gone, and a large chunk of masonry evidently fell off the east gable and rolled down the hillside towards the Hirenden Burn.

Hirendean Castle

The south wall still stands for most of its length, with a large window opening at first floor level. Part of the west gable joins the south wall at the south-west corner and stands to a height of around 9.0m.

Hirendean Castle

The basement was vaulted, and part of the arch can still be seen within the angle between the south and west walls. Square holes in the wall below the vaulting suggest that the basement was split into two levels by a wooden floor. The footings of the north wall can be identified amongst rubble in front of the castle’s interior.

Hirendean Castle

Internally, to the west of the window is a tall rectangular niche, although what it was for is unclear, possibly just storage of some kind.

Hirendean Castle

To the south of the castle is an area of flat ground on the summit of the mound which is covered in linear earthworks, which may perhaps represent the footings of ancillary buildings.

Hirendean Castle

Mark Kerr was succeeded by his son, also Mark Kerr, who in 1606 would be created the 1st Earl of Lothian in 1606, following a spell as interim Lord Chancellor of Scotland. The 1st Earl’s main residences were Prestongrange and the grange of Moorfoot to the north of Hirendean.

Hirendean Castle is marked on an 18th century reprint of a John Adair map from 1682 as the tower of Haringdren.

Hirendean Castle

A Map of Midlothian / survey’d by Mr. J. AdairRichard Cooper, Edinburgh, c.1735map image courtesy of NLS

When Hirendean Castle fell out of use is unclear, however a book written in 1908 describes the castle as having been occupied within living memory, and goes on to state that the “arches of the roofs, stair-cases, and barred doors can still be traced”, suggesting a rapid decline in more recent years.

Hirendean Castle

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Alternative names for Hirendean Castle

Haringdren; Herondean Castle

Clans associated with Hirendean Castle

Kerr

Surnames associated with Hirendean Castle

Ker

Kerr

Where is Hirendean Castle?

Hirendean Castle is in the parish of Temple and the county of Midlothian.

Grid reference:NT 2984 5121

Lat / long:55.749316,-3.119283

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Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for Hirendean Castle

OS map 344
Pentland Hills (Penicuik & West Linton)
OS Explorer map 344


OS map 345
Lammermuir Hills (Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg & Gifford)
OS Explorer map 345


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Directions to Hirendean Castle

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Weather at Hirendean Castle

3°C
max 4°C / min 2°C
28km/h WSW
1026mb
84%
81%
07:51 17:02

Broken clouds
Weather observed at Penicuik at 08:32

References (books)

Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (Volume 5)
Francis H. Groome
Edinburgh, 1882
The Abbey of S. Mary Newbottle
John Charles Carrick
Selkirk, 1908
The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland Volume 3
David MacGibbon
Edinburgh, 1889
The Castles of Lothian and the Borders
Mike Slater
Malvern, 1994

References (websites)

Canmore
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Castles near Hirendean Castle

Moorfoot

1.1km away

Boreland Tower (site of)

5.4km away

Clerkington (site of)

6.2km away

Hopeton Tower (site of)

6.7km away

Woolandslee Tower

6.7km away

Eddleston

6.8km away

Black Barony Castle

7.3km away

Easter Deans

7.4km away

Temple House (site of)

7.6km away
more castles....
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Ancient sites near Hirendean Castle

Middleton Hall (site of) souterrain

9.8km away

Wright's Houses standing stone

11.4km away

Cardrona Mains standing stone

12.3km away

Glencorse rock art

12.5km away

Castle Knowe fort

14.0km away

Castle Law souterrain

14.4km away

Castle Law fort

14.4km away

Kirkton Manor standing stone

14.5km away

Crichton Mains souterrain

14.7km away
more ancient sites....
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Pictish stones near Hirendean Castle

Abernethy No. 2 Class III symbol stone

22.4km away

Abernethy No. 4 Class III cross shaft

22.4km away

Princes Street Gardens Class I symbol stone

22.9km away

Borthwick Mains Class I symbol stone

39.6km away

Court Cave Class I rock carving

45.9km away

Doo Cave Class I rock carving

46.0km away

Jonathan's Cave Class I rock carving

46.2km away

Sliding Cave Class I rock carving

46.2km away

Scoonie Class II cross slab

51.1km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Hirendean Castle

Whitlaw silver chain

20.2km away

Borland silver chain

24.1km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

26.5km away

Haddington silver chain

31.0km away

Traprain Law silver chain

37.0km away

Hoardweel silver chain

49.7km away

Norrie's Law hoard

57.2km away

Whitecleugh silver chain

57.6km away

Dunnicaer fort

145.8km away
more Pictish sites....

Accommodation near Hirendean Castle

Horseshoe Inn
hotel, restaurantEddleston
6.8km away
Barony Castle
hotel, restaurant, barPeebles
7.3km away
Cringletie House
hotel, restaurant, barEddleston
9.2km away
Castle Venlaw Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barPeebles
11.0km away
Craigiebield House Hotel
hotelPenicuik
11.0km away
Borthwick Castle Hotel
hotelGorebridge
11.1km away
Midlothian Apartments
self-catering apartmentGorebridge
11.1km away
Kirkhill Mansion B&B
bed and breakfastArniston
11.2km away
Cross Keys Hotel, Peebles
hotelPeebles
11.6km away
Rosslyn Castle
self-cateringRoslin
11.8km away

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Cafés, restaurants & bars near Hirendean Castle

Horseshoe Inn
hotel, restaurantEddleston
6.8km away
Barony Castle
hotel, restaurant, barPeebles
7.3km away
Cringletie House
hotel, restaurant, barEddleston
9.2km away
Whitmuir The Organic Place
café, restaurantWest Linton
10.6km away
Castle Venlaw Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barPeebles
11.0km away
County Inn
pubPeebles
11.8km away
Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa
hotel, bar, restaurantCardrona
12.0km away
Dalhousie Castle Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barBonnyrigg
12.6km away
Kailzie Gardens Restaurant
café, restaurantKailzie
12.8km away
Dean Tavern
barNewtongrange
13.7km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Dunbar harbour and castle
Published on the 14th of May 2010 at 1:59 pm. Updated on the 25th of July 2022 at 5:22 pm.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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